Tufts Postpones Scaramucci Appearance After He Threatens to Sue Student

Tufts University postponed a Monday appearance by Anthony Scaramucci after the former White House communications director threatened to file a lawsuit against a student for defamation over a column in the school newspaper, The Boston Globe is reporting.

Graduate student Camilo Caballero and The Tufts Daily newspaper received a letter from Scaramucci's attorney demanding a retraction of "false and defamatory allegations of fact," the Globe said. Scaramucci also is demanding an apology.

Scaramucci claimed the column suggested he had engaged in unethical behavior, according to the newspaper.

"So, either back it up or you will hear from my lawyer," Scaramucci said.

And his attorney, Samuel Lieberman wrote: "Mr. Scaramucci is ready to take legal action to correct these false and defamatory statements — and to prevent any further damage to his reputation — but will refrain from litigation if you retract the false statements and issue a public apology."

Commenting on Scaramucci, Caballero said: "He is someone that uses his money to gain power and his wealth to buy himself into things that will get him attention. And he uses this power as a scare tactic. . . to get people to not exercise their First Amendment rights. He's trying to stop me from exercising my First Amendment right, and that's plain wrong."

Scaramucci is a Tufts graduate. He also has served on an advisory board at Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy since 2016.

More than 240 students and administrators signed a petition in early November calling for his removal from the advisory board, the Globe reported.

Meanwhile, Scaramucci said he was stunned by the postponement of his appearance at the school.

"I'm shocked that a university that I love and have been a part of for 35 years is silencing that debate because of my request for an apology," Scaramucci said.

And on Twitter, he added:

I didn’t back out of speaking at Tufts. The provost cancelled my invitation. Invite me and I will come out at anytime. https://t.co/QRAuXwvN0u

Tufts University postponed a Monday appearance by Anthony Scaramucci after the former White House communications director threatened to file suit against a student for defamation over a column in the school newspaper, The Boston Globe is reporting.